Town of Van Buren Maine: Education



			EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GENERAL: Van Buren's school system serves approximately 405 students. The Van Buren District Secondary School serves the educational needs of approximately 225 students, grades 7-12; the Gateway Elementary School educates approximately 180 students, grades 1-6. The Van Buren District Secondary School is accredited by the Maine State Department of Education and Cultural Services and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Approximately 60% of the School's graduates pursue post secondary education. Van Buren offers courses in core curriculum-Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science, as well as additional offerings in Art, Technology Training, Vocational Education, French, Spanish, Business Education, Home Economics and Physical Education. Most of the School's students accumulate 23 or more Carnegie Units before graduation and complete extra credits in computers, mathematics, business or science. The average class size is 16, with a range of classroom sizes from 6 to 25 students. Van Buren schools offer a wide variety of programs to meet the needs of all students. This includes a range of services from full-time Special Education teachers and tutorial help in areas such as reading and math, to Gifted and Talented programs, a Mentor program for 4-year old children and a hot lunch program for all students. ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION: Van Buren Adult and Community Education 319 Main Street Van Buren, Maine 04785 Phone: (207)868-5758 JOE CORBIN Director Van Buren has an active adult and community education program, serving adult learners from local communities and neighboring Canadian communities. High School Completion External Credit Option: Van Buren offers courses in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies, enabling adults who dropped out of high school to earn a high school diploma. General Education Development (GED) Preparation and Testing: This program enables persons who have not graduated from high school to prepare for and earn a State of Maine High School Equivalency Diploma. Vocational Programs: An array of vocational courses is offered: Accounting, computer literacy, drafting, office procedures, machine tool technology, retail marketing, woodworking and welding to name a few. Adult Basic Education: Using home tutors, small study groups and a learning center environment, the program works with adults who cannot read or whose low level of literacy, be it math, reading or writing, precludes them from taking part in the High School and GED programs or from functioning effectively on the job. Adult Handicapped Program: Our facilities are completely handicapped accessible, and physically handicapped adults are integrated into the entire program as much as possible. Through our Socialization Program, mentally handicapped individuals learn self sufficiency skills and interact with the student body during breaks and at program functions, such as our Christmas Party, Pot Luck Dinners and Graduation Ceremony. Our Senior Citizen engagement and mental stimulation program, conducted at our local nursing home, is extremely popular with residents. General/Enrichment Program: An array of enrichment courses is offered: Sewing & Crafts, Quilting, Painting, Bible Study, Aerobics, Basketball, Volleyball and the use of a fitness center are just a few examples. Training Programs: We are prepared to, in conjunction with business, develop and offer tailor-made training programs. College Programs: As a Northern Maine Technical College Satellite, the Satellite program offers courses leading to Associate Degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. The Van Buren Satellite also acts as a feeder for the Northern Maine Technical College campus. Community College of Maine: As a satellite down link site, the school system is linked to the Maine Interactive Television system. This allows adult and day students to earn college credits through the University of Maine and Technical College systems. Enrollment Statistics: During FY 96, the program served 626 students enrolled for a total of 934 course registrations. We awarded five high school diplomas, 7 GED's, 12 Certified Nursing Assistant Certificates, and 1 Associate Degree in Business Management. For FY 97, the program served 527 students enrolled for a total of 804 course regiatrations. We awarded 3 Associate Degrees in Business Administration, 2 High School Diplomas, 7 GED's, and 15 Certified Nursing Assistant Certificates. AREA POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS There are four Post Secondary Institutions within commuting distance in the area. These are: Husson College: Husson College Continuing Education Division Caribou Center 75 Bennet Drive Caribou, Maine 04736 (207)498-6500 Husson offers a Bachelor of Science in Business and Associate of Science Degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. Approximate Commuting Time: 20 minutes. Northern Maine Technical College: Northern Maine Technical College 33 Edgemont Drive Presque Isle, Maine 04769 (207)769-2461 Northern Maine Technical offers one year certificates and Associates Degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, Computer Science, the Building Trades, Mechanics, Electronics, and Electrical Programs, Practical Nursing and an Associate Degree in Nursing. Approximate Commuting Time: 40 minutes. University of Maine at Fort Kent: University of Maine at Fort Kent 25 Pleasant Street Fort Kent, Maine 04743 (207)834-3162 This is one of seven University of Maine campuses. It offers programs in Liberal Arts, Bilingual/Bicultural Studies, Teacher Preparation, History, Frech, Biology, Humanities, Social Science, Nursing, Business Management, Computer Applications, Behavioral Science and Environmental Studies. Approximate Commuting Time: 50 minutes. University of Maine at Presque Isle: University of Maine at Presque Isle 181 Main Street Presque Isle, Maine 04769 (207)764-0311 This is one of seven University of Maine campuses. It offers programs in Liberal Arts, Teacher Preparation, Accounting, History, Political Science, Biology, Social Science, Business Management, Behavioral Science and Environmental Studies. Approximate Commuting Time: 45 minutes.